Mahanayaka

Mahanayaka (also spelled as Maha Nayaka, Maha Nayake) theros are high-ranking Buddhist monks who oversees and regulates the Buddhist clergy in Theravada Buddhist countries. The title Maha Nayaka translates to English as 'Great Leader' and it is considered to be a very important position held by a monk in a Theravada Buddhist country. It is usually bestowed upon the senior Buddhist monks who are appointed as the chief prelates of monastic fraternities known as Nikayas.

Sri Lankan tradition

In Sri Lankan Buddhist tradition, the title Mahanayaka is held by the heads of the chapters of all three main sects, Siam Nikaya (Estd. 1753), Amarapura Nikaya (Estd. 1803) and Ramanna Nikaya (Estd. 1864). Appointment of senior Buddhist monks to the Mahanayaka position in Sri Lanka began with the re-establishment of Upasampada higher ordination in 1753 on the initiatives taken by Sangharaja Weliwita Sri Saranankara Thero during the reign of king Kirti Sri Rajasinha of Kandy. The deputies of mahanayaka theros are known as Anunayaka theros (also spelled as Anu Nayaka), who generally succeed to the Mahanayaka position, after a death of an incumbent monk.^[1] Next in the hierarchy are Chief Sanghanayaka theros (also spelled as Sangha Nayaka), who have the jurisdiction over monks in a region, province or a district, while the Nayaka theros have the precedence in a temple or a group of connected temples. Prominent Mahanayake theros who are presently in office and their immediate predecessors are listed below.

Present Mahanayaka theros

Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Maha Nayaka thera presenting an honorary title to a Buddhist monk

Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thero - Mahanayaka of the Malwatta Chapter of Siyam Nikaya^[2]
Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero - Mahanayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter of Siyam Nikaya
Most Ven. Davuldena Sri Gnanissara Thero - Supreme Mahanayaka of Amarapura Nikaya^[3]^[4]
Most Ven. Napana Pemasiri Thera - Mahanayaka of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya^[5]
Most Ven. Ittapane Dhammalankara Thera - Mahanayaka of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Mahasangha Sabha of Siyam Nikaya^[6]
Most Ven. Thrikunamale Ananda Thero - Mahanayaka of the Dharmarakshitha Chapter of Amarapura Nikaya^[7]

Former Mahanayaka theros

Most Ven. Galagama Sri Aththadassi Thera - Mahanayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter of Siyam Nikaya.
Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thero - Former Mahanayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter of Siyam Nikaya^[8]
Most Ven. Rambukwelle Sri Vipassi Thera - Former Mahanayake of the Malwatta Chapter of Siyam Nikaya^[9]
Most Ven. Madihe Pannaseeha Thero - Former Supreme Mahanayaka of Amarapura Nikaya^[4]
Most Ven. Weweldeniye Medhalankara Thero - Former Mahanayake of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya^[10]
Most Ven. Bellana Sri Gnanawimala Thera - Former Mahanayaka of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Mahasangha Sabha of Siyam Nikaya^[11]
Most Ven. Weligama Sri Gnanaratana Thera - Former Mahanayaka of the Dharmarakshitha Chapter of Amarapura Nikaya^[12]

References

↑ Hardy, Robert Spence (1841). The British Government and the Idolatry of Ceylon. Crofts and Blenkarn. p. 17.
↑ Basnayake, Richard (May 29, 2014). "Saga of a blissful journey". Daily News. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
↑ "President felicitates Most Ven. Davuldena Sri Gnanissara Mahanayake on 99th birthday". Daily News. December 31, 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
1 2 "Supreme Maha Nayaka Thera of Amarapura Sangha Sabha". Daily News. 3 November 2004. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
↑ "President offers Sannas Patra to new Maha Nayaka Thera of Ramanna Nikaya". ITN. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
↑ "Guidance & advice of Maha Sangha needed for country's progress - President". The Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
↑ New Maha Nayaka of Dharmarakshita Nikaya of Amarapura Chapter, Daily News
↑ Tribute to an erudite Mahanayake, Kumar Wettasinghe, Daily Mirror
↑ "A person who safeguarded traditions". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
↑ "True disciple of Buddha Dhamma in word and deed". The Nation. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
↑ "Most Ven. Bellana Nayaka Thera's cremation on Tuesday". The Nation. 6 October 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
↑ Noble, dedicated monk of the Vajirarama tradition, Maharagama Dhammasiri Nayaka Thera, Daily News

External links

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